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Topic: How to tell what medium was used (Read 247 times)

I seem to have a problem: I have a couple of already finished paintings that I want to do simple touch up with glazing. They were done over a year ago and I cannot tell if they are acrylic or WSO/water soluble oil. They may also have been spray varnished lightly. Feeling the surface, looking at them sideways doesn't seem to tell me if they are acrylic or oil. Should I just try on an edge and see if the paint sticks or not? Can anyone help here?~Liz

Thanks, MAL! I've learned an important lesson. You see, whether acrylics or oil, I paint with the same techniques which is blocking in then painting in layers. I normally don't touch up anything after I'm pau and I've varnished the paintings (acrylic). I guess that's why I can't tell if it's acrylic or oil, unless I just painted it recently! But I will put a mark in the back of the canvas A or O. What do you mean you file the photo under the medium- on your computer?~Liz

MaryAnne, you're one akamai wahine! It hadn't dawned on me that I used to do Files before. I used a lap top for many years until my son thought I could simplify my life with an iPad. Actually I gave my laptop to my oldest granddaughter who was going to college. All of my photos of my art are now in Photo, but recently I put them into 'Albums' and I never noted A or O on them! I remember that day at Windward Mall. What a wonderful time we had! Thanks so much! ~Liz

Tip:Put rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab, rub on dry paint at the edge of the painting (obviously not the front 😄 , I always have paint splattered where it is not visible). The cotton will be stain by the pigment if it is acrylic but not if oil.

Unfortunately I don't know if this applies to WSO.

« Last Edit: November 07, 2017, 05:04:23 AM by Annie. »

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Cheers, Annie “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” ― Plato